Thread for Melvin

bpatters · Post » Mon Mar 13, 2023 8:45 pm

I've never heard of grunting having anything to do with teeth. If he's still eating well and pooping, and his teeth aren't slanted, I'd cross them off my worry list.

daj · Post » Thu Mar 16, 2023 10:20 pm

Thanks, I will do that. Maybe it's enjoyment. He does love to eat.

daj · Post » Sun Sep 17, 2023 12:22 am

Melvin is 6 1/2. He's been having pain occasionally when he passes a poop. His pocket opening was inverted too. These issues are not new for him. I thought I had a handle on the pain with diet adjustments, as he seemed to be pain free for a long time. I took him in and the vet cleaned out his pocket. It wasn't loaded, but there was a hard lump. The experience was horrible. The vet is a big guy who is not patient enough or gentle. Melvin screamed and fought desperately to get away. The vet also used a plastic thing to feel for poops or pick them out. The vet peeled off stuck on poop and only used lube after Melvin squealed. It was over quickly, and I kind of mentally froze. I was about to say enough when the vet stopped. Today Melvin is not quite himself. He's eating well, but has low energy. He seems to be having more frequent painful poops also. Usually I might hear him having pain once or twice in a day. Today he's had pain when pooping 3-4 times. Maybe his pocket lining is just sore or irritated? I've basically run out of vet options. This guy is the best of all knowledge-wise, but he big and rough. Picks picks up with one hand. Hard to watch.

bpatters · Post » Sun Sep 17, 2023 12:25 am

Are you not cleaning him yourself? If he's having impaction problems, you should be doing it at least weekly, if not more often.

You, or your vet, should never peel off poop that is stuck. You can soak his butt in warm water and gently manipulate the stuck poop until it's soft enough to remove without having to peel it off.

Post » Sun Sep 17, 2023 8:21 am

Ditto bpatters. Soaking really helps. Read over:
https://www.guinealynx.info/impaction.html

This is something you need to do more often. Some guinea pigs are even cleaned daily. A lubricant can help make it easier.

Pain while pooping can also be related to stones. Read this over and watch for other signs. Get an xray if you need to rule them out.
https://www.guinealynx.info/stones.html

daj · Post » Sun Sep 17, 2023 2:58 pm

Thank you. I will get on it.

Post » Thu Sep 21, 2023 7:25 am

How are things going for Melvin?